The colour you're aiming for is important of course. But, you have to go a little further than this, because to get that colour, you're going to usually find an ingredient called PPD listed on your hairdresser's box of tricks. If you've decided to go with a drugstore "box" colour, be aware that ALL of those contain PPD.
It sounds harmless enough, as long as you're saying "PPD” but, I doubt very many people would even know what you're talking about. They'd know even less if you spelled out this word. It's a chemical compound and its name is p-phenylenediamine.
It used to be an important part of the hair coloring process, mainly because it significantly increased colour longevity through many washing and permings. It's colourless, and needs an oxidizer or developer to make it coloured. PPD hair dyes usually come packaged as two bottles, one that has the PPD dye preparation and the other containing the developer or oxidizer. They have to be mixed together. Permanent colouring has more PPD than semi-permanent, and that's why it lasts longer. I say “used to be” because now there are much better options that you should insist on! Your hairstylist should not be using colouring that contains ANY PPD!
Fortunately PPD is now recognized as a harmful chemical to the body, and manufacturers are having to step up to the plate and use alternative hair dyes. This chemical is now banned in Germany, France and Sweden. Connections to cancer have been made, although there are no definitive findings yet.
There have been many reports of severe allergic reactions, especially with dark hair colours. You can use a colour containing PPD for years and never have a problem, and then one day - BAM! Reactions range from mild and uncomfortable to severe, and can even end in death.
Below are pictures of a friend who used the drugstore colouring until she had this reaction. She was lucky to recover.
I'm happy to tell you the colour used in my salon is 100% PPD free. Actually, your hair feels healthier, and looks healthier when you use Davines, A New Colour, an organic product, that I'm just thrilled to use!
It doesn't cost extra either. It's odor free and fragrance free, so my clients and I are in a win-win situation.
I love using this product, and I'm confident you will too. Feel free to contact me for your allergy-free hair colouring needs.